What is the Japanese New Year? Meaning, Origin, and Customs Explained in an Easy-to-understand Way

The Japanese New Year is not just a long vacation, but the most important traditional event to celebrate the beginning of the year.
In this article, we will explain in detail the meaning, history, and even the modern way of spending the Japanese New Year, keeping in mind the needs of searches such as “Japan Oshogatsu,” “Origin of the New Year,” and “New Year Customs.

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What is Japanese New Year? Basic Meaning

The Japanese New Year is an event to welcome the Toshigami (Gods of the New Year) and wish for happiness, a bountiful harvest, and good health for the new year.
The Toshigami are believed to be gods who visit each household, and New Year’s decorations and Osechi (New Year’s dishes) are thought to be preparations for entertaining them.

Nowadays,
December 31 (New Year’s Eve) to January 3 (Sangatsu)
is generally regarded as Oshogatsu.

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Origin and History of New Year’s

Originally, New Year’s Day was deeply connected with agricultural culture.
Welcoming the god of the year to pray for a good harvest and good health for the family – this is the origin of the Japanese New Year.

Until the Meiji era (1868-1912), it was celebrated according to the lunar-solar calendar.
In 1873, the new calendar was adopted and January 1 became the official New Year’s Day.

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New Year’s Eve Customs｜The Meaning of New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve Soba

For New Year’s Eve soba eaten on New Year’s Eve,

• To live a long and thin life

• to break off the year’s bad luck.

and to break off the year’s bad luck.

New Year’s Eve Bell

The 108 times the bell rings at temples represents the number of troubles we have as human beings.
It is a ceremony to drive away the troubles of the year and welcome the New Year with a pure heart.

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Typical customs on New Year’s Day and three days of the New Year

Hatsumode (New Year’s visit to a shrine or temple)

Hatsumode” is the first visit to shrines and temples in the New Year,

• Gratitude for the past year

• Wishes for the New Year

It is an important event to express our gratitude for the past year and our wishes for the new year to the gods and Buddha.

Hatsuhinode

The first sunrise of the New Year is a symbol of hope and rebirth.
In recent years, more and more people are worshipping the first sunrise of the year at the sea, in the mountains, or at observatories.

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Food Culture of the New Year｜Osechi Cuisine and Ozoni

Meaning of Osechi ryori

Each Osechi dish has its own meaning.

• Black soybeans: health and diligence

• Eggs: prosperity of offspring

• Datemaki: academic achievement

It is also a wisdom for the family to spend a relaxing time without fire on the third day of the New Year.

Ozoni

Zoni is a dish that varies greatly from region to region.

• Kanto: clear soup + square rice cake

• Kansai: White miso paste + round rice cake

Regional differences are one of the charms of Japanese culture.

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Explanation of the meaning of New Year’s decorations

• Kadomatsu: a sign for the New Year’s god

• Shimenawa: to ward off evil spirits and indicate a clean place

• Kagamimochi: An offering to the New Year God

These are not mere decorations, but all have meanings based on religious beliefs.

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How to spend the New Year’s Day in modern times

In recent years,

• New Year’s Day without returning home

• New Year’s Day spent on vacation

• Families who buy Osechi (New Year’s dishes)

Lifestyles are changing.
Nevertheless, the essence of “resetting the year and starting with a fresh mind” has not changed.

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Summary｜Reasons why the Japanese New Year continues to be cherished

The Japanese New Year is an event that condenses the values of the Japanese people, who value
gratitude, prayer, and separation
.

Perhaps it is because we are so busy today that the culture of Oshogatsu has become
an important time to adjust our minds and lives.